We, at the University of Washington Counseling Center, express our grief, sorrow, anger and compassion to all those who have been impacted by racial injustice that is occurring across our nation. Most recently, we witnessed the killings of Daunte Wright and Adam Toledo, and we were triggered by the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. We are in solidarity with too many communities in mourning, most recently Black, Latinx, Sikh, and AAPI communities. These tragedies reflect a longstanding and entrenched history of structural and systemic injustice that we condemn and are dedicated to addressing. Our hearts are with the millions of protestors who have marched around the world denouncing police brutality and bringing awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement. While we feel emboldened by the increase in collective action and the solidarity expressed over the course of the previous year, we mourn as we bear witness to continued violence towards BIPOC bodies in a society that continues to uphold white supremacy instead of justice. Systemic racism and anti-blackness are deeply rooted forces of oppression in this country and dismantling both will require each of us to do our part.
As a mental health service, UWCC is committed to affirming and providing care for all of our students who have been directly or vicariously impacted by racial trauma. In the aftermath of experiencing or witnessing trauma, it is normal to experience a range of feelings and emotions, such as shock, fear, sadness, anger, helplessness, or guilt. We encourage you to contact our office if you (or someone you know) would like support with coping and healing. Please refer to our website and blog for more resources, including resources for Black students, students who identify as Non-Black People of Color, as well as White students.
We affirm the humanity of all BIPOC communities, while also committing ourselves to anti-racist policies and practices. We see you, we hear you, and we stand with you.
COVID-19 Update: The Counseling Center is providing all services via secure Zoom. Please call 206.543.1240 during regular business hours to access services.
The UW Counseling Center provides a safe, inclusive environment to help you explore the challenges of life and learning through:
- Counseling (individual, group, career and crisis)
- Consultation with faculty, staff and parents who have concerns about a student
- Workshops and invited presentations
These services are provided at no charge to currently-enrolled, degree-seeking UW students thanks to support by the Services and Activities Fee.
